82nd Waterford Fair, An Autumn Celebration of... Tickets, Talks & Merch

NEW FOR 2026: One Ticket. Three Days. Endless Memories! We’ve simplified our pricing to give you more value! For just $20 in advance ($25 at the gate; processing fees apply), your single ticket grants you unlimited access to all three days of fine craft artisans, music, historic home tours, and family activities. Come and go as much as you like all weekend long, no separate multi-day pass needed! Your ticket includes access to: - Historic properties, open gardens, and exhibit buildings - Live music, entertainment, and living history interpretation - Craft demonstrations and hands-on activities for kids of all ages Note: Food, drinks, workshops, and artisan wares are purchased separately. Some free events may require separate advance reservation for seating. Visit waterfordfairva.org to see this year's full schedule!

NEW FOR 2026: One Ticket. Three Days. Endless Memories! We’ve simplified our pricing to give you more value! For just $20 (online or at the gate, plus processing fees), your single ticket grants Seniors (65+), Military, and Students/Youth (13–21) unlimited access to all three days of fine craft artisans, music, historic home tours, and family activities. Come and go as much as you like all weekend long, no separate multi-day pass needed. Your ticket includes access to: - Historic properties, open gardens, and exhibit buildings - Live music, entertainment, and living history interpretation - Craft demonstrations and hands-on activities for kids of all ages Note: Food, drinks, workshops, and artisan wares are purchased separately. Some free events may require separate advance reservation for seating. Visit waterfordfairva.org to see this year's full schedule!

Get Your Free Child Ticket — Includes 3-Day Fair Access! This FREE children's ticket grants full access to tour open historic properties, gardens, and exhibit buildings, as well as all live music, living history interpretation, craft demonstrations, and hands-on activities for kids of all ages! Child must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Why reserve a free ticket? Reserving a free ticket helps us plan materials for hands-on youth activities and venue capacity so every family has a fantastic experience! Exclusions: Food, drinks, workshops, and artisans' wares are not included and may be purchased separately. Respecting Private Property: Many historic homes in the Landmark are privately owned. Signs and docents will direct you to open properties. Please stay on sidewalks and designated pathways. Media Release: By entering the Fair premises, you consent to being filmed and/or photographed for promotional purposes. Any person desiring not to have their photo/video taken or distributed must contact oldschool@waterfordfoundation.org in writing prior to the event open date. Event Policy: The Fair is a rain-or-shine event.

This reservation is for groups of 20+ arriving in a vehicle with 16+ passenger capacity (motorcoach or minibus). All other tickets go on sale August 1st. RATES: $18/adult + processing fees; Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Welcome to the historic village of Waterford! We’ve simplified our arrival process to ensure your group gets the most out of their visit. From reserved bus parking to a personal greeting, we have everything ready for your arrival. THE BUS EXPERIENCE - Docent Greeting: A friendly Waterford docent will meet your bus at your reserved arrival window. - VIP Orientation: You’ll receive a 5-minute "Welcome to Waterford" talk, schedules, and your single-day commemorative paper tags right on the bus before you head into the Fair. - Reserved Parking: We provide designated, easy-access parking specifically for large motorcoaches. - Perks: Enjoy two complimentary tickets for your professional driver and group leader! HOW TO BOOK - Reserve Your Slot: Enter "1" in the "Ticket" quantity. - Select the "Tour Bus Arrival Time Slot" to hold your spot on our schedule and click "Got to Checkout". - Fill in the requested contact details and estimated number in your group, following the prompts to complete and submit the form. - Finalize and Pay: Our office will contact you by Sept. 16 for your final count. We will then email an invoice via Eventeny ($18/adult; Kids 12 and under are free). This email will include your specific arrival, drop-off, and parking instructions. TERMS & CONDITIONS - Single-Day Access: Group tickets are specially discounted for single-day attendance and are valid for one day only. Unlike standard General Admission, group passes do not include multi-day re-entry across the weekend. - Exclusions: Food, drinks, workshops, and artisans' wares are not included and may be purchased separately. - Respecting Private Property: Many historic homes in the Landmark are privately owned. Please stay on the sidewalks and streets; refrain from cutting through yards or entering private properties. - Media Release: By entering the Fair premises, you consent to being filmed and/or photographed for promotional purposes. Any person desiring not to have their photo/video taken or distributed must contact oldschool@waterfordfoundation.org in writing prior to the event open date. - Event Policy: The Fair is a rain-or-shine event. All tickets are non-refundable.

For groups (e.g., church, civic, private clubs, etc.) of 20+ arriving in separate individual vehicles or passenger vans (under 16-passenger capacity). Planning a group outing to the Waterford Fair? Whether you are a homeschool group, community club, or a large family gathering, groups of 20 or more enjoy a special discounted rate. We’ve made it easy to coordinate your arrival and save on tickets, even when driving separately. THE CAR-POOL EXPERIENCE - Easy Parking: Follow our friendly traffic flaggers to the general parking areas. There is no parking fee! - Advance Tickets: Since your group will be parking in various spots, we email your tickets to you in advance. You won't have to worry about "who has the tickets" out in the parking fields! Pro-Tip: We recommend picking a meeting spot (like the Information Booth or the Old School) to gather your group once everyone has parked. HOW TO BOOK - Reserve Your Day: Select this "Car-Pool Group Arrival Slot" ($0) to hold your spot on our schedule. - Estimate Your Count: Provide your expected headcount (minimum 20). Please include children 12 and under in your total headcount. - Finalize and Pay: Our office will contact you prior to the Fair for your final count. We will then email an invoice via Eventeny ($18/adult + processing fees; Kids 12 and under are free). TERMS & CONDITIONS - Single-Day Access: Group tickets are specially discounted for single-day attendance and are valid for one day only. Unlike standard General Admission, group passes do not include multi-day re-entry across the weekend. - Exclusions: Food, drinks, workshops, and artisans' wares are not included and may be purchased separately. - Respecting Private Property: Many historic homes in the Landmark are privately owned. Please stay on the sidewalks and streets; refrain from cutting through yards or entering private properties. - Media Release: By entering the Fair premises, you consent to being filmed and/or photographed for promotional purposes. Any person desiring not to have their photo/video taken or distributed must contact oldschool@waterfordfoundation.org in writing prior to the event open date. - Event Policy: The Fair is a rain-or-shine event. All tickets are non-refundable.

Take home a piece of Waterford history with this exclusive, custom-crafted mug. Hand-thrown by long-time Fair artisan Amy Manson, a name many will recognize from her years in the Old Mill Shop. Each piece is finished in a timeless deep blue glaze highlighting the relief Waterford Foundation logo. Hand-crafted pottery varies slightly in size and glaze, making every piece unique. (Did you miss the pre-order window? A limited supply will also be available for purchase during the Fair at the Merchandise Tent.)

Get your 3rd Edition Waterford Fair Beer T-Shirt before it sells out! Celebrating our popular partnership with Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, this limited-run commemorative shirt is a favorite among Fairgoers every year. Lock in your size early by pre-ordering today! You are ordering a SMALL unisex adult shirt. Sizes Available: Small through 3XL. (Did you miss the pre-order window? A limited supply will also be available for purchase during the Fair at the Merchandise Tent, as well as both beer and wine locations: Talbott's Tavern on the Lawn and Graham's Bar-room at the Bond Street Barn.)

Get your 3rd Edition Waterford Fair Beer T-Shirt before it sells out! Celebrating our popular partnership with Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, this limited-run commemorative shirt is a favorite among Fairgoers every year. Lock in your size early by pre-ordering today! You are ordering a MEDIUM unisex adult shirt. Sizes Available: Small through 3XL. (Did you miss the pre-order window? A limited supply will also be available for purchase during the Fair at the Merchandise Tent, as well as both beer and wine locations: Talbott's Tavern on the Lawn and Graham's Bar-room at the Bond Street Barn.)

Get your 3rd Edition Waterford Fair Beer T-Shirt before it sells out! Celebrating our popular partnership with Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, this limited-run commemorative shirt is a favorite among Fairgoers every year. Lock in your size early by pre-ordering today! You are ordering a LARGE unisex adult shirt. Sizes Available: Small through 3XL. (Did you miss the pre-order window? A limited supply will also be available for purchase during the Fair at the Merchandise Tent, as well as both beer and wine locations: Talbott's Tavern on the Lawn and Graham's Bar-room at the Bond Street Barn.)

Get your 3rd Edition Waterford Fair Beer T-Shirt before it sells out! Celebrating our popular partnership with Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, this limited-run commemorative shirt is a favorite among Fairgoers every year. Lock in your size early by pre-ordering today! You are ordering a XL unisex adult shirt. Sizes Available: Small through 3XL. (Did you miss the pre-order window? A limited supply will also be available for purchase during the Fair at the Merchandise Tent, as well as both beer and wine locations: Talbott's Tavern on the Lawn and Graham's Bar-room at the Bond Street Barn.)

Get your 3rd Edition Waterford Fair Beer T-Shirt before it sells out! Celebrating our popular partnership with Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, this limited-run commemorative shirt is a favorite among Fairgoers every year. Lock in your size early by pre-ordering today! You are ordering a 2XL unisex adult shirt. Sizes Available: Small through 3XL. (Did you miss the pre-order window? A limited supply will also be available for purchase during the Fair at the Merchandise Tent, as well as both beer and wine locations: Talbott's Tavern on the Lawn and Graham's Bar-room at the Bond Street Barn.)

Get your 3rd Edition Waterford Fair Beer T-Shirt before it sells out! Celebrating our popular partnership with Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, this limited-run commemorative shirt is a favorite among Fairgoers every year. Lock in your size early by pre-ordering today! You are ordering a 3XL unisex adult shirt. Sizes Available: Small through 3XL. (Did you miss the pre-order window? A limited supply will also be available for purchase during the Fair at the Merchandise Tent, as well as both beer and wine locations: Talbott's Tavern on the Lawn and Graham's Bar-room at the Bond Street Barn.)

Step back into 1774 with local historian Ken Bancroft as he explores the real-life diary of Nicholas Cresswell—an Englishman caught in Virginia as the Revolutionary War broke out. Discover what life was really like on the Loudoun County home front during a period of fierce national divide. Ticket Price: FREE (Requires General Fair Admission Ticket) Seating: Limited tent seating available—secure your ticket early to save your seat!

Considered America's first official cookbook, Mary Randolph’s 1824 classic, The Virginia House-Wife, blended regional Virginia ingredients with bold global flavors like curries, gazpacho, and international spices. Join Williamsburg historian, researcher, and perfumer Rebecca Suerdieck as she explores the surprising history of Mary Randolph's international recipes and early 19th-century Virginia cooking. Afterwards, visit her at the Fair to pick up a copy of her reissued 1824 cookbook, chat about colonial domestic arts, and sample her hand-crafted, historically accurate replica perfumes! Ticket Price: FREE (Requires General Fair Admission Ticket) Seating: Limited tent seating available—secure your ticket early to save your seat!

From carved powder horns and scrimshaw inkwells to horn spoons, cups, and spice containers, handcrafted accouterments were essential everyday gear for 18th-century life and survival. Join Pennsylvania artisan John DeWald—a Master Horner with the Honourable Company of Horners—as he reveals the art, history, and ancient techniques behind crafting 18th-century horn, bone, metal, and wood accouterments. Discover how period-correct craftsmanship preserves vital frontier history, and visit his booth at the Fair to see live horn-working demonstrations and handcrafted pieces! Ticket Price: FREE (Requires General Fair Admission Ticket) Seating: Limited tent seating available—secure your ticket early to save your seat!

Discovered in a California secondhand shop for $1.99, an 1860 friendship album belonging to 17-year-old Maranda Stewart was almost cut apart for scrapbooking. Instead, it sparked an incredible, global journey of historical rediscovery.Join podcaster, author, and collage artist Margarete Miller as she shares how she traced Maranda from California back to her adult life in Waterford, Virginia. Discover how Miller's online YouTube community revived this 160-year-old practice by adding their own signature pages—and hear the full story of how this historical treasure is finally being returned home to the Waterford Foundation! Ticket Price: FREE (Requires General Fair Admission Ticket) Seating: Limited tent seating available—secure your ticket early to save your seat!

For decades, thousands of school records documenting segregation in Loudoun County sat forgotten in an abandoned building—until the Edwin Washington Society stepped in to rescue and archive them. Join historian and former diplomat Larry Roeder, CEO of the Edwin Washington Society, as he shares findings from a decade of research into Black vs. White schooling from 1864 to 1968. Discover the harrowing reality of segregated education, the groundbreaking insights from his book Dirt Don't Burn (published by Georgetown University Press), and the courageous, often dangerous stories of local Black parents and teachers who signed petitions demanding equal resources for their children. Ticket Price: FREE (Requires General Fair Admission Ticket) Seating: Limited tent seating available—secure your ticket early to save your seat!

Established in 1733 by Quaker millwright Amos Janney, Waterford grew from a small milling settlement into the historic rural village we know today. Join local resident and Waterford Foundation President Carl Scheider for an engaging look at our village's past. Discover how Quaker traditions shaped early village life, how the community navigated the tensions of the Civil War, and the story behind the creation of the National Historic Landmark to protect Waterford's unique heritage. Ticket Price: FREE (Requires General Fair Admission Ticket) Seating: Limited tent seating available—secure your ticket early to save your seat!

What did children and soldiers do for fun while the Revolutionary War raged around them? Long before digital screens, early Americans relied on simple, hand-crafted toys and games for entertainment in camp and at home. Join Tim Simpson, historical blacksmith for Georgia Colony Smiths, as he explores the fascinating history of 18th-century leisure. From hand-forged dice and traditional games to early pewter toy soldiers, learn how these simple amusements were made and what they reveal about daily life during the Revolution. Afterwards, visit their tent at the Fair to see real historical reproduction toys and metalwork firsthand! Ticket Price: FREE (Requires General Fair Admission Ticket) Seating: Limited tent seating available—secure your ticket early to save your seat!